Signs And Symptoms Of An Epidural Hematoma

An epidural hematoma is most commonly caused by a head injury occurring due to a vehicle or bicycle accident, although falls, sports-related injuries, and assaults can also contribute. An epidural hematoma is typically more common in children and teenagers, but for older adults, even a mild head injury can lead to this condition, especially if they’re taking prescription anticoagulants or antiplatelet medication.

There are three different categories of hematoma: epidural, subdural, and intraparenchymal. Also referred to as an extradural hematoma, an epidural hematoma happens when blood begins to pool between the skull and the brain’s outermost covering. In addition to head injuries, an epidural hematoma can be caused by the rupture of an aneurysm, high blood pressure, and certain diseases that can allow spontaneous blood pooling in the brain.

The symptoms of an epidural hematoma can present themselves immediately or even over the course of several hours. The following discusses five of the most common signs and symptoms of an epidural hematoma.

Nausea And Vomiting

There are many different causes of nausea including motion sickness, food poisoning, pregnancy, indigestion, emotional stress, and viral infections. If you feel nauseous or start to vomit following a head injury, though, the issue could be serious. Many individuals experience symptoms such as nausea, disorientation, or confusion after a head injury. While the uneasy sensation of nausea doesn’t always lead to vomiting, nausea can be caused by issues in the brain or spinal fluid. As a result, nausea associated with a head injury shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially if the problem does not go away after a few days.

Most head injuries are mild and are not associated with long-term complications. Some individuals who have a head injury experience at least one episode of vomiting. Vomiting can be a one-time occurrence caused by something that doesn’t settle inside the stomach, but a major underlying issue may trigger recurring episodes of vomiting. For this reason, if you develop persistent nausea and vomiting after a head injury, it could be an indication of a concussion or epidural hematoma.

Continue reading for information on the next symptom.

Confusion And Drowsiness

While a variety of conditions or health problems can cause temporary confusion, some causes are more serious than others. If you have experienced a head injury, confusion accompanied by severe drowsiness, an intense headache, nausea, or vomiting may be an indication of an epidural hematoma.

Signs associated with confusion may not always be easy to detect, especially in children or the elderly. Individuals who experience confusion may have difficulty thinking clearly, a hard time focusing, or trouble making simple decisions. Symptoms of confusion include slurred speech, long pauses during communication, lack of awareness about location, sudden changes in mood, and incoherent speech.

If you feel unusually tired or lethargic after a head injury, the problem could lead to other symptoms such as forgetfulness. Like nausea and vomiting, drowsiness may be a common symptom in individuals who have suffered a mild head injury. However, the combination of confusion and drowsiness after a significant head injury can be dangerous without the appropriate medical attention.

Continue reading to learn about the type of headache to watch for with regards to an epidural hematoma.

Severe Headache

A headache is an unpleasant feeling of aching or pressure in the head, and the pain can range from mild to severe. Though one of the most common types of headaches is a tension headache, a headache associated with a minor head injury isn’t a rare occurrence and may not be serious. A head injury often involves a jolt or sudden shaking of the head, and most headaches following a head injury clear up after a few minutes or days. However, depending on the impact of the injury, headaches can persist for months or even years.

Unlike a minor headache many individuals have experienced multiple times, a severe headache may lead to nausea, temporary vision loss, pain behind the eyes, ears, or temples, and extreme sensitivity to sound or light. Individuals who suffer severe headaches related to an epidural hematoma may have difficulty concentrating or retaining memory and may experience ringing in the ears, dizziness, blurring of vision, and depression or anxiety.

Continue reading to reveal the next symptom of an epidural hematoma.

Seizures

Seizures affect individuals in many different ways, and those who suffer from them often describe a sensation of electrical currents pulsing through the brain. After a brain injury, a seizure can occur with or without warning.

Common sensory or emotional symptoms that occur before a seizure typically include racing thoughts, a feeling of déjà vu, blurry vision, fearful or anxious feelings, and a heightened awareness of certain sounds, smells, or tastes. Common physical symptoms occurring before a seizure may include dizziness or lightheadedness, nausea, numbness in parts of the body, and a headache.

During a seizure, sensory or emotional symptoms can range from confusion and loss of awareness to complete loss of consciousness or vision. Other symptoms include a feeling of impending doom, blurred vision, the inability to hear, a feeling of electrical shock in part of the body, or an out-of-body sensation. Physical symptoms of a seizure include difficulty communicating, the inability to swallow or move, repetitive eye blinking, convulsions, changes in skin color, sweating, heart palpitations, and

Continue reading to reveal the type of weakness to be on the alert for after a head injury.

Weakness On One Side

A wide array of health conditions can cause muscle weakness. However, weakness on one side of the body may indicate a serious underlying issue. In many instances, this symptom is a sign of an interruption of blood flow to the brain, also known as a stroke. After a head injury, your muscles may show some degrees of weakness for a period. But, if you have a head injury and weakness comes on suddenly, seek medical attention immediately since the problem can lead to disability or death.

If you have suffered a head injury, it’s imperative to seek medical attention immediately. Without prompt treatment, a hematoma can be life-threatening. While this list of symptoms associated with a head injury isn’t comprehensive, it does include some of the more common signs to watch for.